Raspberry plant named ‘RADIANCE’

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct everbearing variety of raspberry plant named ‘RADIANCE’. The new variety is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the central coast of California and is characterized by the following: medium sized, firm, medium red fruit of conic shape, even color, and excellent flavor. Foliage is flat to strongly convex, medium green; possessing medium to strong rugosity, and mostly 3-foliate. Primocanes have an absent to very weak waxy coat, medium to dense thorn density, and medium to weak anthocyanin coloration.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Rubus idaeus.

Variety denomination: ‘RADIANCE’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct fall bearing raspberry variety designated as ‘RADIANCE’. This new variety is a result of a controlled cross made in 1999 between raspberry variety ‘PS-1616’ (unpatented) and raspberry variety ‘PS-1703’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,151) in an ongoing breeding program. It is unknown as to which parent variety is the seed parent and which parent variety is the pollen parent. The variety is botanically known as Rubus idaeus.

The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was asexually propagated by dormant canes in Santa Cruz County, Calif. and was subsequently selected by the inventor from a controlled breeding plot in Watsonville, Calif. in 2001. After its selection, the new variety was further asexually propagated by dormant canes, roots and non-dormant root shoot cuttings in Santa Cruz County, Calif. and San Joaquin County, Calif. The new variety was then extensively tested over the next several years in fruiting fields in Santa Cruz County, Calif. This propagation has demonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein as characterizing the new variety are fixed and remain true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘RADIANCE’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of the central coast of California. This region provides the necessary year-round temperatures required for it to produce and maintain a strong vigorous plant and to remain in fruit production from July through December on primocanes and in the ensuing year from May through July on the floricanes.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘RADIANCE’, which in combination distinguish this raspberry plant as a new and distinct variety:

-   -   1. leaf shape ranging from flat to strongly convex;     -   2. high fruit firmness;     -   3. excellent fruit flavor;     -   4. primocane glaucosity ranging from absent to very weak; and     -   5. brownish purple floricane color.

The raspberry varieties that are believed to be most closely related to the new raspberry variety ‘RADIANCE’ are the raspberry variety ‘PS-1049’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,142), and the raspberry variety ‘PS-1703’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,151). In comparison to the similar raspberry varieties ‘PS-1049’ and ‘PS-1703’, ‘RADIANCE’ differs by the following combination of characteristics described in Table 1:

TABLE 1 ‘PS-1049’ ‘PS-1703’ (U.S. Plant Pat. (U.S. Plant Pat. Characteristic ‘RADIANCE’ No. 10,142) No. 15,151) 1. Primocane waxy Ranges from Strong Ranges from coat (glaucosity) absent to very medium to weak strong 2. Predominate Mostly 3 Equal 3-5 Mostly 5 number of leaflets 3. Leaf color 7.5GY 2/4 7.5GY 3/4 7.5GY 2/4 (upper side) to 3/4 to 4/4 to 3/4 Medium to Medium green- Medium to dark green yellow dark green 4. Leaf shape (cross Ranges from Slightly Ranges from section) flat to strongly concave slightly convex concave to slightly convex 5. Rugosity Medium to Medium Medium to strong strong 6. Color mature fruit 5R 3/8 to 3/10 5R 3/6 to 3/8 5R 3/8 to 3/10 Medium red Medium red Medium red 7. Primocane fruit 3.0 2.7 3.0 weight (g) 8. Floricane fruit 2.8 2.5 2.7 weight (g) 9. Primocane color 10Y 7/4 to 7/6 5GY 7/4 to 6/4 7.5GY 6/2 Medium green Light green to 6/4 yellow yellow Medium green yellow 10. Floricane color 2.5YR 3/4 5YR 4/4 to 4/6 7.5YR 4/6 to 4/6 Brown to 4/8 Brownish Brown purple

For identification, a series of AFLP molecular markers have been determined for this new variety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance of typical specimens of the new raspberry variety, ‘RADIANCE’ at various stages of development as true as reasonably possible with color reproductions of this type. Color in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describes the color of ‘RADIANCE’. The depicted plant and plant parts of the new raspberry variety ‘RADIANCE’ were taken in Watsonville, Calif. and are approximately 2 to 16 months old.

FIG. 1. shows typical primocane foliage and fruit color; foliate and rugosity characteristics of ‘RADIANCE’ taken in the month of September 2007.

FIG. 2 shows typical floricane foliage and fruit color; foliate and rugosity characteristics of ‘RADIANCE’ taken in the month of May 2008.

FIG. 3 shows typical harvested fruit of ‘RADIANCE’ taken in the month of September 2007.

FIG. 4 shows typical dormant cane color characteristics of ‘RADIANCE’ taken in the month of February 2007.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

‘RADIANCE’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The characteristics of the new variety may vary in detail, depending upon variations in environmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type, and location.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following description of the new raspberry variety ‘RADIANCE’, unless otherwise noted, are based upon observations taken during the 2007-2008 growing season in Watsonville, Calif. Primocane measurements and ratings were taken from plants of ‘RADIANCE’ dug from a nursery located in San Joaquin County, Calif. during the middle of December 2006 and planted approximately 3 to 4 weeks later in Watsonville, Calif. The approximate age of the observed primocane plants is 7 to 8 months. Floricane measurements and ratings were taken from the same planting of ‘RADIANCE’ at an approximate age of 16 to 18 months. Yield observations and fruit quality characteristics are averaged from three years of data collected from the 2002 through 2007 production seasons. Flower measurements and characteristics are from secondary flowers unless otherwise noted. Fruit characteristics and measurements are from secondary fruit unless otherwise noted. Foliage characteristics and measurements are from 3-foliate foliage unless otherwise noted.

Color terminology where noted follows the Munsell Book of Colors, Munsell Color, Baltimore, Md. (1976).

The following Tables 2-6 describe fruit, plant, foliage, flower and pest/disease characteristics of the new raspberry ‘RADIANCE’ in comparison to the similar raspberry varieties ‘PS-1040’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,142) and ‘PS -1703’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,151).

TABLE 2 FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-1049’ ‘PS-1703’ (U.S. Plant Pat. (U.S. Plant Pat. Characteristic ‘RADIANCE’ No. 10,142) No. 15,151) Color mature fruit 5R 3/8 to 3/10 5R 3/6 to 3/8 5R 3/8 to 3/10 Medium red Medium red Medium red Color achenes 10YR 7/4 to 8/4 10YR 7/4 10YR 7/4 to 8/4 to 8/4 Fruit Length (cm) 2.1 1.9 1.9 Fruit Width (cm) 1.8 1.8 1.8 Length/Width Ratio 1.1 1.1 1.1 Slightly longer Slightly longer Slightly longer than broad than broad than broad Seed weight (mg) 1.5 1.2 1.4 Druplets per berry 79 100 85 Fruit size Medium Medium Medium Predominant shape Conical Conical Conical Evenness of color Even Even Even Glossiness Medium to strong Medium Strong Adherence of Weak Weak Weak recepticle Firmness of flesh Very firm Very firm Firm Firmness of skin Very firm Very firm Medium Soluble Solids 11.6 10.3 11.3 (% Brix) Flavor Excellent Good Excellent

TABLE 3 PLANT CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-1049’ ‘PS-1703’ (U.S. Plant Pat. (U.S. Plant Pat. Characteristic ‘RADIANCE’ No. 10,142) No. 15,151) General: Habit Upright Semi-upright Semi-upright Size Medium Medium Medium Productivity Medium to Medium to High high high Self fruitfulness Yes Yes Yes Type of bearing Everbearing Everbearing Everbearing Primocane: Color 10Y 7/4 to 7/6 5GY 7/4 to 6/4 7.5GY 6/2 Medium green- Light green- to 6/4 yellow yellow Medium to light green- yellow Length (m) 1.4 1.8 1.6 Basal diameter (mm) 13.4 15.1 15.8 Diameter central ⅓ 9.9 11.2 10.9 (mm) Lateral length (cm) 33.7 38.8 49.0 No. fruiting laterals 14 14 17 per cane % of cane length 35% 30% 46% fruiting Internode length 5.9 6.1 6.2 at central ⅓ (cm) Anthocyanin Weak to Weak to Medium to coloration medium medium strong Pubescence Absent Absent Absent Length of vegetative Medium to Medium to Medium to bud short short short Strength of waxy coat Ranges from Strong Ranges from absent to very medium to weak strong Time of flowering Medium to Medium Early early Time of fruiting Medium to Medium Early early Length of fruiting Long Long Long season % of total yield 53% 49% 54% Flowering period Mid June to Late June to Early June to Late November Late November Late November Harvest period Mid July to Late July to Early July to Late December Late December Late December Primocane fruit weight 3.0 2.7 3.0 (g) Primocane yield 1,936 1,711 2,228 (g/plant) Young Shoots: Number Medium Medium Medium Anthocyanin Present Present Present coloration Anthocyanin intensity Weak to Very weak to Weak to medium weak medium Thorns: Color 7.5RP 3/6 7.5RP 3/6 7.5RP 3/6 Purple Purple Purple Length central ⅓ 2.1 2.3 1.9 (mm) Presence on cane Present Present Present Density on cane Medium to Medium Medium to dense dense Texture Rigid Rigid Rigid Attitude of the tip Horizontal Horizontal Horizontal Floricane: Color 2.5YR 3/4 5YR 4/4 to 4/6 7.5YR 4/6 to 3/6 Brown to 4/8 Brownish Brown purple Length (m) 1.0 1.3 1.2 Length vegetative bud Medium to Medium to Medium to short short short Strength of waxy coat Ranges from Strong Ranges from (glaucosity) absent to very medium to weak strong Fruiting lateral attitude Erect to semi- Erect to semi- Horizontal to erect erect drooping Time bud burst Medium Medium Medium Time of flowering Medium Medium Medium Time of fruiting Medium Medium Medium Length of fruiting Medium to Medium to Medium to season long long long % of total yield 47% 51% 46% Flowering period Late April to Late April to Mid April to Late June Late June Late June Harvest period Late May to Late May to Early May to Late July Late July Late July Floricane fruit weight 2.8 2.5 2.7 (g) Floricane yield 1,832 1,955 2,012 (g/plant)

TABLE 4 FOLIAGE CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-1049’ ‘PS-1703’ (U.S. Plant Pat. (U.S. Plant Pat. ‘RADIANCE’ No. 10,142) No. 15,151) Characteristic (3 Foliate) (3 Foliate) (5 Foliate) General: Color of upper surface 7.5GY 2/4 7.5GY 3/4 7.5GY 2/4 to 3/4 to 4/4 to 3/4 Medium to Medium green- Medium to dark green yellow dark green Color of lower surface 5GY 6/2 to 7/2 5GY 5/4 to 6/4 5GY 6/2 to 7/2 Light to pale Pale yellow- Light to pale grey-green green grey-green Shape in cross section Ranges from Slightly Ranges from flat to strongly concave slightly convex concave to slightly convex Arrangement Compound Compound Compound Relief between veins Medium to Medium Medium to strong strong Glossiness Weak Weak Medium Number of leaflets/leaf Mostly 3 Equal 3-5 Mostly 5 Terminal Leaflet: Length (cm) 10.8 11.7 10.4 Width (cm) 9.3 9.2 5.5 Length/Width Ratio 1.2 1.3 1.9 Longer than Longer than Much longer broad broad than broad Size Medium to Medium to Medium to large large small Shape Cordate Cordate Lobed oblique Shape of base Cordate Cordate Acute Shape of tip Acuminate Acuminate Acuminate Margins Biserrate Biserrate Biserrate Lateral Leaflet: Length (cm) 9.3 10.4 9.2 Width (cm) 6.1 6.3 5.2 Rachis length (cm) 3.0 3.2 2.9 Orientation Opposite Opposite Opposite Arrangement Compound Compound Compound Shape Ovate Ovate Oblique Overlapping Touching Touching Free Shape of the base Oblique Oblique Acute oblique rounded rounded Shape of the tip Acuminate Acuminate Acuminate Margins Biserrate Biserrate Biserrate Petiole: Length (cm) 3.6 4.3 4.4 Width (mm) 2.8 2.6 2.9 Thorn presence Yes Yes Yes Thorn orientation Erect Erect Erect Anthocyanin Medium Ranges from Ranges from coloration of upper absent to very medium to surface weak strong Pigmentation of Light green- Light green- Light green- lower surface yellow yellow yellow Stipule length (cm) 0.9 1.1 0.9 Stipule orientation Erect Erect Erect

TABLE 5 FLOWER CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-1049’ ‘PS-1703’ (U.S. Plant Pat. (U.S. Plant Pat. Characteristic ‘RADIANCE’ No. 10,142) No. 15,151) Petal color N 9.5/90% R to N 9.5/90% R to N 9.5/90% R to N 9.25/ N 9.25/ N 9.25/ 84.2% R 84.2% R 84.2% R White White White Flower diameter (cm) 2.0 2.1 1.9 Petal Length (mm) 7.0 5.9 6.2 Petal width (mm) 3.2 3.0 3.0 Petal length/width 2.2 2.0 2.1 ratio Much longer Much longer Much longer than broad than broad than broad No. petals/flower 5.1 5.0 5.2 No. sepals/flower 5.1 5.0 5.3 Pedicel no. spines Medium Many Medium Peduncle anthocyanin Present Present Present presence Peduncle anthocyanin Weak Very weak Weak intensity

TABLE 6 PEST AND DISEASE REACTIONS ‘PS-1049’ ‘PS-1703’ (U.S. Plant Pat. (U.S. Plant Pat. Characteristic ‘RADIANCE’ No. 10,142) No. 15,151) Two spotted spider Susceptible Susceptible Susceptible mite Grey fruit mold Susceptible Susceptible Susceptible Powdery mildew Moderately Moderately Moderately Susceptible Susceptible Susceptible Yellow rust Moderately Moderately Moderately Susceptible Susceptible Resistant 

1. A new and distinct variety of raspberry plant named ‘RADIANCE’, as herein described and illustrated by the characteristics set forth above. 